ISSN: 1511-3701

Universiti Putra Malaysia Press

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. 35 (1): 149 - 163 (2012)

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

to Chlorantraniliprole
Chua Chin Kok1, Ooi Kok Eng1, Abdul Rahman Razak2, Adzemi Mat Arshad2 and
Paula G. Marcon3
1
DuPont Malaysia Sdn Bhd,
Malaysia Field Research Station, Lot 2385, Mukim 3, Lahar Tiang,
13200 Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai Utara, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2
Faculty Agro-Technology & Food Science,
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,
21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
3
DuPont Crop Protection, Stine-Haskell Research Center,
1090 Elkton Road, Newark - DE, 19711, USA
*E-mail: Chin-Kok.Chua@mys.dupont.com
ABSTRACTS
Bagworm (Metisa plana) is an ubiquitous pest in oil palm plantations. Seven insecticides were evaluated for
their effectiveness in controlling M. plana using a leaf dip bioassay. The evaluation assessed the speeds of
action, susceptibility of different instars, ovicide and ovi-larvicide activity of chlorantraniliprole. The lowest
LC50 (0.25ppm) was found with chlorantraniliprole and trichlorfon, followed by thiamethoxam with 0.70 ppm,
indoxacarb with 0.72 ppm, cypermethrin with 0.90 ppm, and for monocrotophos with 15.03 ppm. The highest
LC50 (18.58 ppm) was found for Bacillus thuringiensis, which was approximately 74 times larger than trichlorfon
and chlorantraniliprole. Meanwhile, the speed of action of these insecticides on M. plana larvae was also found
to differ. Trichlorfon (1900.0 ppm), chlorantraniliprole (50.0 ppm) and cypermethrin (75.0 ppm) were among
the three fastest acting insecticides evaluated, with respective LT50 values of 12.66, 17.04 and 28.63 minutes
and larval mortality of 19.91, 47.27 and 53.06 minutes after exposure to the chemicals. Bacillus thuringiensis
(324.0ppm) was the slowest acting insecticide, requiring more than 2000 minutes to kill 50% of M. plana
larvae. The first three instars of M. plana larvae were very susceptible to chlorantraniliprole, with LC50 below
1 ppm, as compared to LC50 of 1.91ppm and 9.62ppm for the 4th and 5th instar larvae. Chlorantraniliprole had
low to moderate ovicidal effects on M. plana, which caused egg mortality to range from 27.50% to 72.50%,
but it was shown to be highly toxic on the neonates emerging from the eggs.
Keywords: Rynaxypyr, chlorantraniliprole, Metisa plana, oil palm.

INTRODUCTION
Bagworm (Metisa plana) is one of the most
destructive pests in oil palm plantations.
Outbreaks of bagworm occur frequently (Ho,
1998). Bagworm has a short life cycle and
can have several generations within the narrow
span of time (Yap, 2005). Hence, appropriate
Received: 20 July 2010
Accepted: 18 March 2011
*
Corresponding Author

pest management strategies must be taken to

control bagworms and to maintain a healthy
and productive oil palm plantation. Foliar
application of insecticide is still the best option
for bagworm control among oil palm growers.
The concept of integrated pest management
(IPM) includes the use of selective insecticides

Chua Chin Kok et al.

(when necessary) to keep the pest population

below the economical threshold, and the
choice of insecticides that is the least toxic to
humans and the environment (Wood, 1971).
Currently, organophosphate and pyrethroid are
still widely used for bagworm control. Newer
alternative effective insecticides, with favourable
toxicological and environmental profiles, could
be valuable additional tools for oil palm growers.
Chlorantraniliprole (Rynaxypyr ) is a
novel insecticide in the anthranilic diamides
class. It is a potent and selective activator of
insect ryanodine receptors, which are critical
for muscle contraction. When the ryanodine
receptor in insects is activated, calcium
homeostasis in the cell is affected, and this
leads to feeding cessation, lethargy, muscle
paralysis and ultimately death of the insects
(Lahm et al., 2007). Chlorantraniliprole is a
highly selective insecticide with low mammalian
toxicity. The acute oral dosage on rat (LD50) is
> 5000mg kg-1 (DuPont Crop Protection, 2007).
In addition, chlorantraniliprole has demonstrated
an excellent efficacy and long lasting control
on a broad spectrum of Lepidopteran species in
several crops.
In order to manage insecticide resistance,
monitoring of pest populations for their
susceptibility to various insecticides should
be carried out at regular intervals. For
comparison of susceptibility, the baseline data
for various insecticides must be generated
prior to widespread use and they should also
be easily available for comparative studies.
However, there has been no baseline study
of bagworm susceptibility to insecticides in
Malaysia to date. Metisa plana, just like other
Lepidopteran species (like diamondback moth
and beet armyworm), has a high potential for
the development of resistance to the commonly
used insecticides.
The objectives of this study were to: (1)
determine the baseline susceptibility of M.
plana to chlorantraniliprole as compared to other
commercial insecticide currently being used
in oil palm plantations, (2) evaluate the speed
of action of chlorantraniliprole in comparison
with current standards on M. plana control, (3)
150

understand the level of susceptibility of different

larval instars of M. plana to chlorantraniliprole,
and (4) evaluate the ovicidal and ovi-larvicidal
activities of chlorantraniliprole against M. plana.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Insect Preparation
Cocoons of M. plana were collected in an oil
palm estate and maintained in a growth chamber
at 25 28C. All the insects were reared on oil
palm leaves, i.e. their natural food source, until
they were ready for bioassays. The larvae of the
F1 generation were used for the bioassay studies.
Experiment 1: Susceptibility of M. plana to
chlorantraniliprole and other insecticides
The insecticides used in this study are listed in
Table 1. The rate (g ai ha-1) of commercially
available insecticides in Malaysia tested was
based on the recommendations for each product
on oil palm, except for chlorantraniliprole,
indoxacarb and thiamethoxam. Each insecticide
was diluted with distilled water to obtain seven
different concentrations (namely, 0, 0.3, 1, 3,
10, 30 and 100 ppm). Consequently, thirty-two
healthy 2nd instar larvae were used for each
insecticide treatment in the current study.
Leaf-dip bioassay method was used for
assaying bagworm susceptibility in this study.
An oil palm leaf was collected from healthy
oil palm seedling planted in a greenhouse at
the DuPont Malaysia Field Research Station
(MFRS) under insecticide free conditions. The
midrib was removed and the leaf lamina was
retained. Rectangular leaf pieces, measuring 40
x 50 mm, were cut from the leaf lamina. The
rectangular pieces were individually dipped
for 10 seconds in the insecticide solutions, airdried in the laboratory for 1 hour, and placed
in polystyrene trays consisting of 32 cells.
One larva was gently released into each cell
unit. Meanwhile, distilled water was used to
treat the control leaf cut. The cells were sealed
with transparent plastic lids. Observed under
the stereoscope, the larvae were scored dead if
they were unable to move after gentle probing

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) to Chlorantraniliprole

TABLE 1
Insecticides used in the bioassay
IRAC Insecticide Group

Active Ingredient

Formulation

Group 28: Ryanodione receptor

modulator
Group 22: Voltage dependent sodium
channel blockers
Group 3: Sodium channel modulators
Group 1: Acetylcholinesterase
inhibitors
Group 4: Nicotinic acetylcholine
receptor agonists
Group 1: Acetylcholinesterase
inhibitors
Group 11: Microbial disruptors of
insect midgut membranes

Chlorantraniliprole

Water-Soluble Concentrate (SC)

Indoxacarb

Water-Soluble Concentrate (SC)

Cypermethrin
Trichlorfon

Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)

Soluble Powder (SP)

Thiamethoxam

Water-Dispersible Granule (WG)

Monocrotophos

Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)

Bacillus thuringiensis

Water-Dispersible Granule
(WDG)

with a small paint brush. The mortality of these

larvae was recorded 96 hours after they had been
released into the cells.
Experiment 2: The speed of action of
chlorantraniliprole on Metisa plana
The speed of action of chlorantraniliprole on
M. plana was evaluated based on time to stop
feeding and time to kill, using five insecticides
belonging to distinct chemical classes (Table 2).
Once again, the leaf-dip bioassay method
(as described Experiment 1) was used in for
this experiment. Thirty-two healthy 2nd instar
larvae were used to evaluate each insecticide.
While preparing for the bioassay, larvae were
starved for 24 hours prior to exposure to the leaf
cuts. This procedure standardized the nutritional
status of the groups of insects to be tested and
ensured immediate initiation of feeding as soon
as the larvae were transferred to the cell units
with leaf cuttings.
To evaluate the speed of action of the
insecticides, each individual larva was observed
under the stereoscope from the time it was placed
on the leaf cut. Time zero (T0) was defined as the
time when each individual larva initiated feeding
on the leaf cut. Time 1 (T1) was defined as the
time when each individual larva permanently
stopped feeding. Time to complete feeding

cessation and kill (Ttotal) was calculated as (Ttotal)

= (T1) - (T0). The observations were recorded at
5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 180, 240, 300,
360, 720, 1440, 2880, 4320 and 5760 minutes.
Larvae from each treatment at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 days
were fixed in FAA solution and processed for
SEM observation.
TABLE 2
Treatment list for the speed of action study
No.

Treatment

Formulation

Rate
(ppm)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Indoxacarb
Cypermethrin
Trichlorfon
Bacillus
thuringiensis

5SC
5SC
5SC
15SC
5EC
95SP
54WG

12.5
25.0
50.0
50.0
75.0
1900.0
324.0

Speed of Action Categorization

In this study, LT50 obtained by probit analysis
was categorized into five categories: (I) very
fast speed of action = insecticides that stopped
feeding or killed M. plana within 30 minutes of
exposure; (II) fast speed of action = insecticides
that stopped feeding or killed M. plana in less

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

151

Chua Chin Kok et al.

than 3 hours (180 minutes) of exposure; (III)

moderate speed of action = insecticides that
allowed feeding or survived for more than 3
hours (180 minutes) but less than 6 hours (360
minutes) of exposure; (IV) slow speed of action
= insecticides that allowed feeding or survived
for more than 6 hours (360 minutes) but less
than 24 hours (1440 minutes) of exposure; and
(V) very slow speed of action = insecticides that
allowed feeding or survived for more than 24
hours ( 1440 minutes) of exposure.
Preparation for Scanning Electron Microscopy
(SEM)
The internal organs of larvae of different instars
were viewed under the scanning electron
microscope (JOEL 6310). The cuticle of the
abdomen of the instars was sliced longitudinally
using a sharp razor blade under a stereobinocular microscope. The larvae with the sliced
abdomen were fixed in FAA for 24 hours, washed
in 1% cacodylate buffer and post fixed in 1%
cacodylate buffered osmium tetroxide for two
hours. The larvae were dehydrated in a graded
series of alcohol concentrations (i.e. 30, 50, 70,
90, 95 and 100% in Belzers D30, respectively),
and Critical Point Drier Balzers using carbon
dioxide liquid as an intermediate fluid. Critical
point dried samples were mounted on cylinder
stubs and sputter coated with gold, and then
viewed with scanning electron microscope JEOL
6310 at an acceleration voltage of 10 or 15kV.
Experiment 3: Susceptibility of
different instars of M. plana larvae to
chlorantraniliprole
Five different instars (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th) of
M. plana were used in this study. The leaf-dip
bioassay method was employed in the study, and
the details were as previously described under
Experiment 1. Seven different concentrations
of chlorantraniliprole (i.e. at 0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10,
30 and 100 ppm) were obtained by diluting the
insecticide with distilled water. Each treatment
was evaluated using thirty-two healthy larvae.

152

Experiment 4: Ovicidal and ovi-larvicidal

effect of chlorantraniliprole on Metisa plana
Eggs of M. plana used in this experiment came
from F1 population which was obtained as
described above. One day-old eggs were used
for the ovicidal and ovi-larvicidal study. To
determine the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole
and other insecticides to M. plana eggs, the
eggs were exposed to 12.5 ppm, 25.0 ppm and
50.0 ppm of chlorantraniliprole, 75.0 ppm of
cypermethrin and 1900.0 ppm of trichlorfon
(Table 3). A total of ten eggs were used per
replicate, with four replications per treatment.
To ensure uniformity, the eggs collected from
the same egg mass were used in each replication.
These eggs were dipped in the insecticide
solutions for five seconds and air dried for one
hour under laboratory conditions. The undipped
eggs were used as control. Each replication of
ten treated eggs was placed in a 20 ml transparent
screw-capped vial. The total number of hatched
and unhatched eggs, as well as dead and alive
larvae was counted under the stereomicroscope
on day 12.
TABLE 3
A treatment list for the ovicidal and
ovi-larvicidal study
No.

Treatment

Formulation

Rate
(ppm)

1
2
3
4
5
6

Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Cypermethrin
Trichlorfon
Untreated check

5SC
5SC
5SC
5EC
95SP
-

12.5
25.0
50.0
75.0
1900.0
-

Statistical Analysis
For Experiments 1, 2 and 3, the mortality data
were subjected to probit analysis to calculate
median lethal concentration (LC50), LC90 and
Fiducial limits. The probit analysis was carried
out using the DuPont Dose Response probit
analysis software version 2.0.

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) to Chlorantraniliprole

For Experiment 4, however, all the treatment

data were subjected to ANOVA using FieldPro
Biodata Management software, in which the
means for each treatment were separated
(P0.05) using Duncans Multiple Range Test.
RESULTS
Experiment 1: The Susceptibility of M. plana
to Chlorantraniliprole and Other Insecticides
The probit analyses of the susceptibility
of M. plana 2 nd instar larvae to the treated
insecticides are presented in Table 4. The lethal
concentrations (LC50 and LC90 values) of M.
plana varied greatly between the insecticides
tested, suggesting that the level of M. plana
susceptibility to each insecticide differed
greatly. The LC50 values of trichlorfon and
chlorantraniliprole were 0.25 ppm, followed
by 0.70 ppm for thiamethoxam, 0.72 ppm for
indoxacarb, 0.90 ppm for cypermethrin, and
15.03 ppm for monocrotophos. The highest
LC50 was observed for B. thuringiensis, i.e. at
18.58ppm, and approximately 74 times more
than trichlorfon and chlorantraniliprole (0.25
ppm). It is important to note that the mortality
in the untreated control for all the treatments was
less than 5% after 96 hours.
The LC 90 value for chlorantraniliprole
was the lowest among the seven groups of

insecticides, i.e. at 0.64 ppm, followed by

cypermethrin, indoxacarb, trichlorfon and
monocrotophos at 4.69 ppm, 6.20 ppm, 46.53
ppm, 198.41 ppm, respectively. Meanwhile,
Thiamethoxam and B. thuringiensis have the
highest LC90 values at 371.58 ppm 302.65 ppm,
respectively, the value which are more than 500
times higher than that of chlorantraniliprole.
Experiment 2: The Speed of Action of
Chlorantraniliprole on Metisa plana
Time to Stop Feeding
The highest percentage of larvae that stopped
feeding within the first 5 minutes of exposure
to the insecticides was found with 50.0 ppm
chlorantraniliprole (15.63%), followed by
1900.0 ppm trichlorfon (9.38%) and 25 ppm
chlorantraniliprole (3.13%), as shown in Table
5. After 30 minutes of exposure to 50.0 ppm
chlorantraniliprole and 1900.0 ppm trichlorfon,
78.13% of M. plana stopped feeding. The
percentage of the larvae that stopped feeding
increased with the time of exposure to pesticides.
After 60 minutes, 93.75% of M. plana stopped
feeding after being exposed to 1900.0 ppm
trichlorfon and 75.0 ppm cypermethrin. The
descending order of the feeding cessation of
M. plana larvae to the remaining insecticides
after 60 minutes of exposure are 87.50% for

TABLE 4
Dosage-mortality response of the susceptibility bagworm, Metisa plana to
chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, cypermethrin, trichlorfon, thiamethoxam,
monocrotophos and Bacillus thuringiensis, after 96 hours of insecticide exposure
LC50 (ppm)
Fiducial Limit

Insecticides

Slope

Intercept

ChiSquare

Chlorantraniliprole
Indoxacarb
Cypermethrin
Trichlorfon
Thiamethoxam
Mococrotophos
Bacillus thuringiensis

3.142
1.374
1.791
0.565
0.470
1.143
1.057

1.878
0.192
0.078
0.251
0.072
-1.346
-1.342

0.013
12.830
2.648
4.999
0.291
7.512
9.772

LC90 (ppm)
Fiducial Limit

LC50
(ppm)

Lower
95%
CL

Upper
95%
CL

LC90
(ppm)

Lower
95%
CL

Upper
95% CL

0.25
0.72
0.90
0.25
0.70
15.03
18.58

0.12
0.03
0.60
0.02
0.08
9.80
6.55

0.33
2.10
1.26
0.72
1.90
24.58
105.84

0.64
6.20
4.69
46.53
371.58
198.41
302.65

0.47
2.13
3.07
15.85
72.54
95.56
66.18

1.40
804.87
9.06
492.53
26929.22
633.28
62467.42

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

153

154

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

720

1440

2880

4320

5760

96.88

240

300

81.25

180

360

68.75

120

71.88

56.25

68.75

56.25

75

90

53.13

60

105

71.88

43.78

45

18.75

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

96.88

96.88

81.25

75.00

71.88

65.63

50.00

43.75

9.38

34.38

3.13

15

0.00

0.00

25.0ppm
Chlorantraniliprole

30

0.00

12.5ppm
Chlorantraniliprole

Time
(Minutes)

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

93.75

93.75

90.63

87.50

84.38

78.13

34.38

15.63

0.00

50.0ppm
Chlorantraniliprole

100.00

87.50

78.13

75.00

71.88

65.63

56.25

53.13

40.63

15.63

9.38

9.38

6.25

3.13

3.13

3.13

3.13

0.00

0.00

50.0ppm
Indoxacarb

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

96.88

93.75

93.75

81.25

62.50

6.25

0.00

0.00

75.0ppm
Cypermethrin

Treatment (Percentage of larvae stop feeding)

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

96.88

93.75

93.75

93.75

93.75

93.75

90.63

78.13

71.88

9.38

0.00

1900.0ppm
Trichlorfon

90.63

87.50

84.38

28.13

9.38

9.38

9.38

9.38

6.25

6.25

6.25

6.25

3.13

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

324.0ppm B.
thuringensis

TABLE 5
Time to stop feeding response of Metisa plana to chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, cypermethrin, trichlorfon, and Bacillus thuringiensis,
after 96 hours of insecticide exposure

Chua Chin Kok et al.

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) to Chlorantraniliprole

50.0 ppm chlorantraniliprole, 65.63% for 25.0

ppm chlorantraniliprole, 53.13% for 12.5
ppm chlorantraniliprole, 3.13% for 50.0 ppm
indoxacarb, and the feeding of larva continued
on to 324.0 ppm B. thuringiensis treatment after
60 minutes. Nonetheless, the feeding completely
stopped after 105 minutes of exposure to 75.0
ppm cypermethrin, 120 minutes and 240 minutes
to 50.0 ppm chlorantraniliprole and 1900.0 ppm

trichlorfon, respectively. The first cessation of

feeding of the larvae on B. thuringiensis treated
leaf cut was observed 75 minutes after exposure
and 28.13% of the larvae stop feeding after
1440 minutes (1 day) of exposure. All larvae
ended feeding within 96 hours exposure to the
insecticides, with the exception of larvae which
were exposed to 324.0 ppm B. thuringiensis and
only 90.63% ended feeding.

Fig. 1: SEM micrographs of, (A); fresh larva (ventral view; X 27), (B); showing
the internal organs of fresh larva (ventral view; X 30), (C); larva exposed to
chlorantraniliprole after 1 day of bioassay (side view; X 35), (D); showing the
internal organs of day 1 after being exposed to chlorantraniliprole larva (ventral
view; X 33), (E): a larva exposed to chlorantraniliprole after 3 days of bioassay (side
view; X 43), and (F); showing the internal organs of larva after day 3 of exposure to
chlorantraniliprole larva (ventral view; X 70).
Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

155

156

96.88

96.88

96.88

96.88

100.00

100.00

100.00

720

1440

2880

4320

5760

68.75

240

300

62.50

180

360

40.63

120

56.25

34.38

34.38

31.25

75

90

21.88

60

105

53.13

9.38

45

0.00

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

96.88

81.25

78.13

71.88

56.25

56.25

37.50

37.50

15.63

0.00

0.00

0.00

15

0.00

0.00

25.0ppm
Chlorantraniliprole

30

0.00

12.5ppm
Chlorantraniliprole

Time
(Minutes)

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

96.88

84.38

84.38

84.38

78.13

56.25

37.50

21.88

15.63

0.00

0.00

50.0ppm
Chlorantraniliprole

75.00

75.00

71.88

68.75

65.63

56.25

53.13

31.25

12.50

9.38

9.38

6.25

3.13

3.13

3.13

3.13

0.00

0.00

0.00

50.0ppm
Indoxacarb

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

96.88

87.50

81.25

50.00

31.25

15.63

0.00

0.00

0.00

75.0ppm
Cypermethrin

Treatment (Percentage of larvae mortality)

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

100.00

96.88

93.75

93.75

93.75

93.75

93.75

90.63

78.13

78.13

31.25

6.25

0.00

1900.0ppm
Trichlorfon

87.50

84.38

59.38

9.38

9.38

9.38

9.38

9.38

3.13

3.13

3.13

3.13

3.13

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

324.0ppm
B. thuringensis

TABLE 6
Time to kill response of Metisa plana to chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, cypermethrin, trichlorfon, and Bacillus thuringiensis, after 96
hours of insecticide exposure.

Chua Chin Kok et al.

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) to Chlorantraniliprole

The time to stop feeding response of M.

plana 2nd instars larvae is presented in Table 7.
The larvae exposed to 1900.0 ppm trichlorfon
produced the lowest LT50 value of 12.66 minutes
and this was followed by 17.04 minutes for 50.0
ppm chlorantraniliprole, and 28.63 minutes for
75.0 ppm cypermethrin. The difference of the
LT50 value between the lowest LT50 value of
1900.0 ppm trichlorfon and the second lowest
of 50.0 ppm chlorantraniliprole was extremely
close, i.e. less than 5 minutes. The difference
between the second and third lowest LT 50
value of 50.0 ppm chlorantraniliprole and 75.0
ppm cypermethrin was more than 10 minutes.
The LT50 values for 25.0 ppm and 12.5 ppm
chlorantraniliprole were at 42.76 and 58.48
minutes, respectively. Meanwhile, the LT50 value
of 50.0 ppm indoxacarb was slightly higher at
402.91 minutes. At 324.0 ppm, B. thuringiensis
produced the highest LT50 value on M. plana
larvae at 1451.36 minutes, with 114.6 and 85.1
times higher than 1900.0 ppm trichlorfon and
50.0 ppm chlorantraniliprole, respectively.
When looking at LT 90 values, 75.0 ppm
cypermethrin had the lowest LT90 value with
55.56 minutes, followed by 56.13 minutes for
1900.0 ppm trichlorfon, 62.36 minutes for 50.0
ppm chlorantraniliprole, 189.40 minutes for 25.0
ppm chlorantraniliprole, 205.18 minutes for 12.5
ppm chlorantraniliprole and 2714.97 minutes for
50.0 ppm indoxcarb. Meanwhile, 324.0 ppm B.
thuringiensis still ranked the highest, with the
LT90 value at 7756.25 and/ or about 5.3 days.
Time to Kill
The mortality time of M. plana after exposure
to the insecticides is presented in Table 6. The
findings revealed that the exposure to trichlorfon
(1900.0 ppm) killed 6.25% of the larvae within
the first 5 minutes and increased to 31.25%
within the first 15 minutes. The killing time
of the larvae exposed to the insecticides was
observed to vary. After 60 minutes of chemical
exposure, 1900.0ppm trichlorfon still ranked
the highest, with the percentage of mortality
at 90.63%, and this was followed by 50.0 ppm
chlorantraniliprole and 75.0 ppm cypermethrin
with about 50% mortality. The larvae were

killed within 120 minutes of exposure to 75.0

ppm cypermethrin as compared to 240 minutes
with 50.0 ppm chlorantraniliprole and 300
minutes with 1900.0 ppm trichlorfon. A longer
exposure time was required for 100% kill, with
a lower concentration of chlorantraniliprole, 720
minutes and 2880 minutes at 25.0 ppm and 12.5
ppm, respectively. Both 50.0 ppm indoxacarb
and 324.0 ppm B. thuringiensis achieved only
75.00% and 87.50% kill when the experiment
was terminated after 5760 minutes (4 days) of
exposure to the tested insecticides.
Table 8 shows the LT50 and LT90 values of
all the treatments tested in terms of the time to
kill. The probit analysis result showed that the
LT50 and LT90 values of larvae exposed to 1900.0
ppm trichlorfon remained at the lowest, with
19.91 and 75.80 minutes, respectively. The LT50
and LT90 values of 50.0 ppm chlorantraniliprole
and 75.0 ppm cypermethrin were between 47 to
53 minutes and 91 to 126 minutes, respectively.
At 25.0ppm and 12.5ppm, Chlorantraniliprole
was ranked the fourth and fifth lowest LT50 and
LT90 values, with the LT50 values at 85.59 and
130.31 minutes and LT90 values at 326.06 and
372.69 minutes, respectively. The LT50 and LT90
values of 50.0ppm indoxacarb were 764.01 and
7367.64 minutes, respectively. At 324.0 ppm,
B. thuringiensis remained the highest with the
LT50 and LT90 values of 2093.82 and 11941.65
minutes.
Speed of Action Categorization
Base on LT50 time to stop feeding and probit
kill (Tables 7 and 8), the speed of action index
of the 5 groups of pesticides was categorized as
follows; for feeding cessation, Category I had
1900 ppm trichlorfon, 50 ppm chlorantraniliprole
and 75 ppm cypermethrin; Category II had 25
ppm and 12.5 ppm chlorantraniliprole; Category
IV had 50 ppm indoxacarb; and Category V had
324 ppm B. thuringiensis. As for time to kill,
Category I had 1900ppm trichlorfon, Category
II had 50 ppm chlorantraniliprole and 75 ppm
cypermethrin, Category III had 25 ppm and 12.5
ppm chlorantraniliprole, Category IV had 50
ppm indoxacarb, and Category V had 324ppm
B. thuringiensis.

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

157

158

12.5
25.0
50.0
50.0
75.0
1900.0
324.0

Insecticide

Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Indoxacarb
Cypermethrin
Trichlorfon
Bacillus thuringensis

2.351
1.983
2.274
1.546
4.451
1.981
1.760

Slope
-4.154
-3.234
-2.801
-4.029
-6.485
2.185
-.5.566

Intercept
10.229
6.866
5.396
32.030
3.836
10.980
27.409

ChiSquare
58.48
42.76
17.04
402.91
28.63
12.66
1451.36

LT50

LT50
Fiducial Limit
Lower
Upper
95% CL
95% CL
49.54
67.72
34.69
51.07
12.97
21.15
298.57
568.02
24.48
32.55
8.98
16.44
1069.53
2088.80
205.18
189.40
62.36
2714.97
55.56
56.13
7756.25

LT90

LT90
Fiducial Limit
Lower
Upper
95% CL
95% CL
168.82
264.72
152.56
250.42
50.88
79.80
1644.85
5669.24
48.55
66.06
44.66
73.87
4758.21
15820.94

Rate
(ppm)

12.5
25.0
50.0
50.0
75.0
1900.0
324.0

Insecticide

Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Indoxacarb
Cypermethrin
Trichlorfon
Bacillus thuringensis

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

2.808
2.206
3.000
1.302
5.450
2.207
1.694

Slope
-5.939
-4.263
-5.024
-3.754
-9.400
-2.867
-5.628

Intercept
27.170
9.970
8.906
33.396
5.259
11.187
26.080

ChiSquare
130.31
85.59
47.27
764.01
53.06
19.91
2093.82

LT50

LT50
Fiducial Limit
Lower
Upper
95% CL
95% CL
109.49
156.07
73.34
99.01
40.48
53.96
528.33
1203.79
47.86
57.97
15.31
24.54
1646.67
2773.40

372.69
326.06
126.40
7367.64
91.18
75.80
11941.65

LT90

LT90
Fiducial Limit
Lower
Upper
95% CL
95% CL
286.54
552.56
261.76
435.86
107.92
155.15
3821.47
20122.63
82.07
104.97
61.99
96.94
7923.48
20735.16

TABLE 8
Time to kill response of Metisa plana to chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, cypermethrin, trichlorfon, and Bacillus thuringiensis, after 96
hours of insecticide exposure.

Rate
(ppm)

TABLE 7
Time to stop feeding response of Metisa plana to chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, cypermethrin, trichlorfon, and Bacillus thuringiensis,
after 96 hours of insecticide exposure.

Chua Chin Kok et al.

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) to Chlorantraniliprole

TABLE 9
Probit analysis of dosage-mortality response of the susceptibility bagworm, Metisa
plana to different instars after 96 hours insecticide exposure.
LC50
Fiducial Limit

Instar

Slope

Intercept

ChiSquare

LC50

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th

1.418
3.142
2.761
1.257
2.154

1.834
1.878
1.073
-0.355
-2.118

4.812
0.013
0.351
3.242
3.869

0.05
0.25
0.40
1.91
9.62

Structural Changes in Metisa plana Larvae

after Exposure to Chlorantraniliprole
The surface of the folded structure of fresh larval
abdomen was formed by columnar cells (Fig.
1A). Organs of the larvae, such as spiracles,
setae and prolegs were clearly defined. The
longitudinal section of M. plana larva showed
that the larval midgut was the longest portion of
the alimentary canal, lying convoluted within the
larval body cavity (Fig. 1B).
When the larva was exposed to
chlorantraniliprole after 1 day of bioassay,
96.88 % was obtained (Table 6). The SEM
micrograph in Fig. 1C showed that the surface
morphology of the larva was preserved, but with
a less uniformed shape. The spiracles, setae
and prolegs were still visible although they
were not clearly discernible. The alimentary
canal remained intact and the larval intestine
shrunk from approximately 100 m to 35 m in
diameter (Fig. 1D). The compact helical shaped
intestine was loosening into a straight empty
space in the internal body cavity.
After 3 days of bioassay, no survival
was obtained and the structure was severely
disintegrated. The abdominal body wall fractured
and the normal columnar cell disappeared (Fig.
1E). Internally, the integrity of the organs
started to lose, and the intestine was completely
destroyed leaving an empty abdomen (Fig. 1F).

Lower
95% CL

Upper
95% CL

0.02
0.12
0.22
1.17
6.38

0.08
0.33
0.58
3.39
12.57

LC90
Fiducial Limit
LC90

Lower
95%
CL

Upper
95% CL

0.40
0.64
1.18
20.02
37.85

0.23
0.47
0.81
8.51
27.25

0.95
1.40
2.61
143.22
68.77

Experiment 3: The Susceptibility of

Different Instars of M. plana Larvae to
Chlorantraniliprole
The results from the probit analysis of dosagemortality response of all M. plana instars larvae
are presented in Table 9. No mortality was
recorded in the untreated larvae after 96 hours
of feeding. In the chlorantraniliprole treated
leaves, the LC50 values of the 1st to 5th instars
larvae were 0.05ppm, 0.25ppm, 0.40ppm,
1.91ppm and 9.62ppm, respectively; whereas the
respective LC90 values were 0.40ppm, 0.64ppm,
1.18ppm, 20.02ppm and 37.85ppm. These
results show that the LC50 and LC90 values of
the first three instars larvae of M. plana were
generally low (i.e. below 1 ppm), except for the
LC90 value of 3rd instar larvae which was at 1.18
ppm. Meanwhile, the LC50 and LC90 values of
the 4th and 5th instar larvae increased drastically
from 1.91 ppm to 9.62 ppm and from 20.02
ppm to 37.85 ppm, respectively. These results
also showed that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars larvae
were very susceptible to chlorantraniliprole,
with relatively 100% mortality and 96 hours
exposure to the 3ppm chemical dipped leaf cut;
however, the 4th and 5th instars larvae needed
a higher concentration of 30 ppm to obtain
100% mortality. Therefore, the results clearly
confirmed the greater LC50 and LC90 values in the
older instars than the younger instars. The LC50
and LC90 values increased drastically beyond the
4th instar larvae stage.

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

159

Chua Chin Kok et al.

TABLE 10
Percentage of ovicidal and ovi-larvicidal responses of Metisa plana.
Treatment

Rate (ppm)

Ovicidal (%)

Ovi-larvicidal (%)

Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole
Cypermethrin
Trichlorfon
Untreated check

12.5
25.0
50.0
75.0
1900.0
-

35.00b
72.50ab
27.50b
100.00a
100.00a
27.50b

100.00a
100.00a
100.00a
100.00a
100.00a
32.50b

Note:
1. Ovicidal effect was calculated according to the number of unhatched eggs. The number of effective larval
penetration was used to determine the total effect (egg survival).
2. Values within the column having the same superscripts are not significantly different at P0.05.

Experiment 4: The Effect of

Chlorantraniliprole on Ovicidal and Ovilarvicidal of Metisa plana
The results for the ovicidal and ovi-larvicidal
effects of the tested pesticides are presented in
Table 10. There was a significant difference for
the ovicidal response between the treatments.
75.0 ppm cypermethrin and 1900.0 ppm
trichlorfon have very strong ovicidal effects
resulting in 100.00% unhatched eggs. On the
contrary, M. plana had low to moderate ovicidal
responses to chlorantraniliprole at 12.5 ppm to
50.0 ppm with 27.50% to 72.50%, respectively.
Chlorantraniliprole showed strong ovilarvicidal property. The total mortality of
unhatched eggs (ovicidal) plus immediate death
of larvae during and after hatching reached
100.00%. Therefore, the ovi-larvicidal effect of
all the treatments was significantly higher than
the untreated control.
DISCUSSION
This study has showed that among all the current
insecticides in the market, chlorantraniliprole
is the most potent insecticide against M. plana
in oil palm plantations. Based on the LC50
and LC90 values of 0.25ppm and 0.64ppm, the
relative susceptibility of the M. plana larvae to
chlorantraniliprole was 7.3 times higher than
cypermethrin (ranked the second best). Likewise,
chlorantraniliprole was found to be 9.6, 72.7,

160

310.0, 472.8 and 580.5 times more effective

to indoxacarb, triclorfon, monocrotophos, B.
thuringiensis and thiamethoxam, respectively.
A low LC 50 value of chlorantraniliprole
was also reported with other pests, such as
Scirphophaga incertulas (0.03ppm), Plutella
xylostella (0.11ppm) and Spodoptera exigua
(0.20ppm) in Malaysia (Kamar et al., 2008).
Cypermethrin was reported to be the most
effective insecticide against the 4 th instar
bagworm (Auchmophila kordofensis) larvae on
Acacia with the LC50 and LC90 values of 7.04
ppm and 34.76 ppm, respectively, and these are
better than chlorpyrifos and spinosad (Kowkab
et al., 2008). However, the current study further
revealed that chlorantraniliprole performed even
more potent than cypermethrin on M. plana.
In addition, several synthetic pythrethroid
products have shown field failure in the official
spraying program against Lepidoptera species,
such as Spodoptera littoralis (Temerak, 2002).
Spodoptera and Helicoverpa species have
been found to develop resistance to synthetic
pyrethroids such as cypermethrin (El-Dahan
et al., 1985, Tikar et al., 2004). Incidences of
H. armigera resistance to cypermethrin have
frequently been reported in India (Tikar et al.,
2004).
Resistance monitoring is an important
component for developing IRM strategies. The
strategy of insecticide resistance management
(IRM) emphasizes on the judicial use of

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) to Chlorantraniliprole

insecticides to minimize selection for insect

resistance and to increase the life-span of the
insecticidal molecules. In the recent years,
increasing efforts have been made towards
incorporating IRM strategies into the larger
realm in most of the agrochemical industry.
However, the IRM programme for M. plana on
oil palm is still lacking.
Chlorantraniliprole is a new insecticide
with a novel mode of action and it is also
effective on lepidopterous pests that have
developed resistant to other insecticides.
Apparently, chlorantraniliprole has constantly
provided a good control on leaf folders and stem
borers in rice, as well as beet army worm and
diamondback moth in vegetables after several
years and numerous crops trials (Kamar et al.,
2008). Efforts must be made to preserve this
high activity; for example, by not applying
insecticides in the same chemical class to
consecutive generations of the same pest, or by
not using those insecticides over more than 50%
of the crop time (Insecticide Resistance Action
Committee, 2008).
The ability and speed to cease feeding
have become one of the critical indicators
of insecticidal potency for discovering
and developing novel chemical classes of
insecticides. Chlorantraniliprole was among
the fastest-acting insecticides for feeding
cessation (Category I), but not the fastest to kill
M. plana (Category II). The SEM micrograph
showed that chlorantraniliprole had destroyed
the internal organs of the larvae. The stomach
poisoning effect of chlorantraniliprole was
manifested in the deformation of the surface,
and disintegration of the intestine. When the
cells and the internal organs are damaged, the
larvae became lethargic and ultimately die
(Lam et al., 2007). Chlorantraniliprole was
also reported to have caused the fastest feeding
cessation on Plutella xylostella, Trichoplusia
ni, Spodoptera exigua and Helicoverpa zea as
compared to emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb,
methoxyfenozide and metaflumizone (Hannig
et al., 2009).

The susceptibility level of chlorantraniliprole

gradually decreased with the succeeding instars,
as reflected in the values of LC50 and LC90 in
Table 9. The values of LC50 and LC90 drastically
increased with the 4th instar larvae. The larger
the larvae, the harder they are to kill with
chemicals. Apparently, the best time to apply
chlorantraniliprole for M. plana control is during
the vulnerable stage of the neonate 1st to 3rd
instars when the larvae are small and actively
feeding on leaves (LC50 ranging from 0.05 ppm
to 0.40 ppm). The control becomes difficult
and less effective with later instars (close to
pupation stage), such as 5th instar and above.
Moreover, M. plana larvae are active feeders
from the 1st to 3rd instars, but they slow down
near to pupation at the 4th and 5th instar. The
LC50 of 0.40ppm was sufficient to kill up to the
3rd instar. A higher concentration was required
to give a similar result at the 4th and 5th instars.
The result of this study concurred with the report
of Kumar and Kumar (2008) on B. thuringiensis
against Helicoverpa armigera. The neonates
(i.e. the 1st instar) were the most susceptible to B.
thuringiensis than other later instars. Therefore,
the timing of application in the field is very
critical to obtain the optimum control. The first
28.0 days of the 1st to 3rd instars larval period are
the best time to apply chlorantraniliprole against
M. plana on oil palm.
The mode of insecticidal action in insect
eggs is not well understood and at least two
types of mortality have been associated with the
death of the developing insect. The embryo in
the egg may be killed (true ovicidal effect) and
further development (embryogenesis) is halted
or the larva dies as it feeds on the chorion during
eclosion, an ovi-larvicidal effect (Temarak,
2003). Chlorantraniliprole has low to moderate
ovicidal effect on M. plana, ranging 27.50% to
72.50%, but is potent against emerging neonates.
The combined effects against the eggs and larvae
of M. plana can contribute to its efficacy in
the field. Similar finding was also reported on
the low ovicidal effect but high ovi-larvicidal
effect of chlorantraniliprole on Lobesia botrana

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

161

Chua Chin Kok et al.

(Claudio et al., 2009). The ovi-larvicidal activity

of chlorantraniliprole against M. plana may
increase its benefits in situations where the M.
plana outbreak occurs over time.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of the current study, it can
be concluded that Chlorantraniliprole provides
a new standard for good residual control of
leaf feeders in the tropical climate, and is a
good addition to the insecticide resistance
management (IRM) strategies and integrated
pest management (IPM) of M. plana in oil palm.
This is based on its low LC50 against the larvae
of M. plana, and also its times of stop feeding
and kill (Category I and Category II). Moreover
it has demonstrated good ovi-larvicidal and
residual properties, and can be regarded as a
novel insecticide.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank DuPont for
permission to present and publish this paper.
REFERENCES
Claudio, I., Gianfranco, A., Gino, A., Valerio, M., &
Federica, T. (2009). Effects of chlorantraniliprole
on eggs and larvae of Lobesia botrana (Denis &
Schiffermuller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Pest
Management Science, 65, 717-722.
DuPont Crop Protection. (2007). Rynaxypyr TM Insect
Control. DuPont Technical Bullent. DuPont
Crop Protection, Newark, D.E., USA.
El-Dahan, A. A., El-Guingy, M. A., & Bakry, N. M.
(1985). Efficacy of certain insecticides against
a field strain of cotton leafworm Spodoptera
littoralis (Boisd) during 1980 season. Bulletin
Entomology Society in Egypt, 13, 1-7.
Hannig, G. T, Ziegler, M., & Marcon, P.G. (2009).
Feeding cessation effects of chlorantraniliprole,
a new anthranilic diamide insecticide, in
comparison with several insecticides in distinct
chemical classes and mode-of-action groups.
Pesticide Management Science, 65, 969-974.

162

Ho, C. T. (1998). Safe and efficient management

systems for plantation pests and diseases. The
Planter, 74, 369-385.
Insecticide Resistance Action Committee. (2008).
Insecticide Resistance Management: Global
Guidelines for IRAC Group 28 (Diamide)
Insecticides.
Kamar, S., Chua, C. K., & Ooi, K. E. (2008).
Prevathon A novel insecticide in controlling
wide spectrum of Lepidopteran pests in various
economically important crops. Paper presented
at the 7th MAPPS International Conference on
Plant Protection in the Tropics. Malaysian Plant
Protection Society, Malaysia.
Kowkab, F. E. B., Yousif, O. H. A., & Nabil, H.H.B.
(2008). Susceptibility of bagworm Auchmophila
kordofensis Rebel (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)
to the three insecticides groups Spinosad,
Chlorpyrifos and Cypermethrin. Resistant Pest
Management Newsletter, 17(2), 19-26.
Kumar, S., & Kumar, H. (2008). Susceptiblity of
different instars of Helicoverpa armigera to
Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins.
Resistant Pest Management Newsletter, 17(2),
30-32.
Lahm, G. P., Stevenson, T. M., Selby, T. P.,
Freudenberger, J. H., Cordova, D., Flexner,
L., Bellin, C. A., Dubas, C. M., Smith, B. K.,
Hughes, K. A., Hollingshaus, J. G., Clark, C.
E., & Benner, E. A. (2007). RynaxypyrTM: A new
insecticidal anthranilic diamide that acts as a
potent and selective ryanodine receptor activator.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 17,
6274-6279.
Temerak, S. A. (2002). Historical records of field cotton
leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) resistance to
conventional insecticides as influenced by the
resistance programs in Egypt. Resistant Pest
Management Newsletter, 12(1), 7-10.
Temerak, S. A. (2003). Differential susceptibility of
pink and spiny bollworms to the ova-larvicidal
activity of spinosad, a nutural metabolite of
the Actinomycete Saccharopolyspora spinosa
with special reference to solve the field failure
of thiodiocarb in the current resistance rotation
spraying program in Egypt. Resistant Pest
Management Newsletter, 13(1), 42-46.

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

Susceptibility of Bagworm Metisa plana (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) to Chlorantraniliprole

Tikar, S. N., Nimbalkar, S. A., Satpute, N. S., Moharil,

M. P., & Rao, N. G. V. (2004). Pyrethroid
resistance in Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner)
(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) in Western Vidarbha
Region of India. Resistant Pest Management
Newsletter, 14(1), 5-8.

Yap, T. H. (2005). A review on the management of

Lepidoptera leaf-eaters in oil palm: Practical
implementation of integrated pest management
strategies. The Planter, 81(954), 569-586.

Wood, B. J. (1971). Development of integrated control

programs for pests of tropical perennial crops in
Malaysia. In C. B. Huffaker (Ed.). Biological
Control (pp. 422 457). N.Y.: Plenum Press.

Pertanika J. Trop. Agric. Sci. Vol. 35 (1) 2012

163